Jeff Samardzija praises attitude of top prospects

Starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija #29 of the Chicago Cubs pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the spring training game at Cubs Park on February 27, 2014 in Mesa, Arizona. (Christian Petersen / Getty Images)

MESA, Ariz. — The Cubs anticipate the attention on Javier Baez, Kris Bryant, Albert Almora and Jorge Soler will be shared rather than be concentrated solely on one player.

"They're going to need each other, too," starter Jeff Samardzija said. "It always helps when you have a group of guys you're close with when you come up. When one guy is struggling, the other guy is doing well.

"You lean on each other. You hang around older guys a little bit and try to pick their brains. It's a combination of that. It helps you grow and from what it seems like, they're sponges and want to learn. You combine that with raw talent, usually you have something very special.''

Samardzija likes how the prospects have remained grounded, especially after Bryant hit a two-run homer Friday in his first at-bat in an exhibition game.

"With all the attention they've been getting, they've really kept their heads on great, kept their mouths shut, and I said the same thing about Junior (Lake) last year," Samardzija said. "Look what Junior did. What a great example. Junior came up, did his work, got to the field early and was never late. He played hard. He prepared. He's a good guy for those guys to look at and see how he came in and had immediate success and why."

Cubs games canceled: Saturday's game against the Giants was canceled because conditions at Cubs Park were deemed unplayable after a downpour started about 20 minutes before the scheduled first pitch. Later, the Cubs' night game against the Diamondbacks also was canceled.

Cubs left-hander Travis Wood, who was scheduled to face the Giants, threw a two-inning simulated game.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy told beat writers he was "shocked'' the game was canceled as the rain stopped about five minutes before game time, only for the game to be called about 20 minutes later.

Edwin Jackson and Carlos Villanueva will pitch Sunday against the Royals at Cubs Park.

Extra innings: Manager Rick Renteria said Lake will continue to work in center and left fields, adding Lake has extended his work to ''power-shagging'' during pre-game batting practice to help him track balls better. "He's unbelievable out there," Renteria said. "He chases almost every ball that's' hit." … Renteria said he told James McDonald he would have more opportunities to earn a spot in the rotation after allowing six runs Friday against the Angels. "That's a blip," Renteria said.